The Fischer/Pacific frames have had that at the throats of their racquets several years. No, it is not Cortex-like and they make no claims about it. It is simply an evolutionary design element -- see the pre-Pro No 1's (Pro 98's) for the original design.

I have to demo anything Fischer related since I used a pro 1 for a couple years. Hopefully they make this new version a little stiffer like the old Pro 1 that was red/yellow. That had a stiffness of like 65 or something. Perfect cause it was firm but dampened.

Interesting that, according to the brochure, the X Force Pro (16x20) and X Force have the 'Zero Tolerance', but the X Force Pro (18x20) does not. I wonder why?

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That is interesting. Zero Tolerance came about with the "green/yellow" Magnetic Speed Pro No 1's as far I recall. The earlier "green/red" version was +/- 6 grams, and had the current throat design (as did the "green'yellow").

Unless my eyes (and the blurry pics) are playing tricks on me, the 18x20 frame looks different from it 16x20 siblings at the throat, with a design that goes back to the pre M-Speed style. Those racquets still usually had weight well within the stated range. It does look like the frame is slightly different beyond the string pattern.

That is interesting. Zero Tolerance came about with the "green/yellow" Magnetic Speed Pro No 1's as far I recall. The earlier "green/red" version was +/- 6 grams, and had the current throat design (as did the "green'yellow").

Unless my eyes (and the blurry pics) are playing tricks on me, the 18x20 frame looks different from it 16x20 siblings at the throat, with a design that goes back to the pre M-Speed style. Those racquets still usually had weight well within the stated range. It does look like the frame is slightly different beyond the string pattern.

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Your eyes are not deceiving you. That's the old Pro No. 1 mold that I started using in 2003 (but I believe the mold predates that). Tecnifibre used it for a while as the TFlash 315 V02 Max when they had Baghdatis. For a while the mold was only available as the Pacific X Force Light.

So are you actually interested in checking out any of of these upcoming Pacific rackets? I was a big fan of the X Force Pro and see it as such an underrated frame. Real quality for sure. Just a bit too demanding for me sadly.

I think they'll still offer a newer version of the Comp. The catalog showed only their tour series. I would imagine Pacific will still offer a game improvement type series.

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The Comp was a real disappointment to me. It just felt so different from from the M-Speed Pro No 1 105 -- a little stiff, pingy and lacking the uber-solid yet plush feeling of the original Fischer. Worse, they never offered a version with specs equivalent to the 105 SL -- which was a real winner. Surprising since the X-Forces and X-Feel Pros are so true to their ancestors. Maybe the 2013 line will correct this.

So are you actually interested in checking out any of of these upcoming Pacific rackets? I was a big fan of the X Force Pro and see it as such an underrated frame. Real quality for sure. Just a bit too demanding for me sadly.

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Yeah, my X Force Pros are getting a bit beat up (it's been 18 months), so its time to do a little window shopping. I've got a bunch of frames I'm going to try over the next few months, then make a decision on whether to (a) get the latest X Force Pro, (b) get replacements of the ones I use, or (c) go to something completely different.

Right now, given how well I'm playing, I'd be crazy to do anything but 'b', but you know how it goes: See something new and you just can't resist trying it. Even if you know it is the exact same frame w/ a different paint job...

Currently, my demo list is:

Yonex VCORE 97 Tour (310g)

Yonex VCORE 97 Tour (330g)

Donnay Pro One (16x19)

Dunlop F 3.0 Tour

But I will be adding both X Force Pros (16x20 & 18x20) to that list once they come out.

Yeah, my X Force Pros are getting a bit beat up (it's been 18 months), so its time to do a little window shopping. I've got a bunch of frames I'm going to try over the next few months, then make a decision on whether to (a) get the latest X Force Pro, (b) get replacements of the ones I use, or (c) go to something completely different.

Right now, given how well I'm playing, I'd be crazy to do anything but 'b', but you know how it goes: See something new and you just can't resist trying it. Even if you know it is the exact same frame w/ a different paint job...

Currently, my demo list is:

Yonex VCORE 97 Tour (310g)

Yonex VCORE 97 Tour (330g)

Donnay Pro One (16x19)

Dunlop F 3.0 Tour

But I will be adding both X Force Pros (16x20 & 18x20) to that list once they come out.

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Solid choices. Will look out to see your thoughts if/when you hit with the latest Pacific racs.

i am actually a fan of pacific frames. the guys that run the company are really straightforward and easy to get ahold of. I think cosmetically they are among the nicest looking frames on the market. Nice frames.. they just play a little stiffer than I like.

i am actually a fan of pacific frames. the guys that run the company are really straightforward and easy to get ahold of. I think cosmetically they are among the nicest looking frames on the market. Nice frames.. they just play a little stiffer than I like.

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Definitely never heard anybody say that about a later model fischer or pacific. It's usually "way too soft for me". I actually hope this new model is stiffer because I never really had any complaints about my old M Pro 1 except I just wish it had a tad more oomph.

Definitely never heard anybody say that about a later model fischer or pacific. It's usually "way too soft for me". I actually hope this new model is stiffer because I never really had any complaints about my old M Pro 1 except I just wish it had a tad more oomph.

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i spent some time with the x force pro and i found it to play pretty stiff.. i didn't mess with string set ups too much so maybe i had it too tight for the frame or something.

maybe i will give it another look here in this case. i got them right around the same time i got some pro stock donnay frames, and those took a majority of my time

The Comp was a real disappointment to me. It just felt so different from from the M-Speed Pro No 1 105 -- a little stiff, pingy and lacking the uber-solid yet plush feeling of the original Fischer. Worse, they never offered a version with specs equivalent to the 105 SL -- which was a real winner. Surprising since the X-Forces and X-Feel Pros are so true to their ancestors. Maybe the 2013 line will correct this.

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this is interesting to hear about the comp since i saw it as a current replacement for the m-speed 105 ligth . did you ever try to match the specs on the comp to the specs of the mspeed 105 sl ?

this is interesting to hear about the comp since i saw it as a current replacement for the m-speed 105 ligth . did you ever try to match the specs on the comp to the specs of the mspeed 105 sl ?

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No, I never tried to modify weight & balance, although that part is easy enough to do. My issues were really about the feel. With my Pro No 1 collection every model has the same house feel. Switching from an M-Speed 98 SL to the UL doesn't result in a different feel -- static weight is different, but they the same sticks other than that. Even the X-UL has the same character and feel, despite being a real featherweight. Same with the 105 SL; it has the essentially the same feel as the 98 SL despite the string pattern and size. On paper the Comp is the Pacific replacement for the M-Speed 105 ultra light, but I never got that sweet feel the original delivered and the pinginess was noticeable (not horrible but noticeable nonetheless). The X-Force and X-Force Pro did not have this aberration.

EDIT: I have never played the 105 UL, which had an RA of 59 and was 3 pts HL. The Comp's specs are very close to this, just being 2 pts less HL and 1 pt stiffer. The M-Speed 105 SL's, on the other hand were 7 pts HL and had an RA of 56 -- significantly different than the Comp and the 105 UL. Lastly, the new layups do not have any fiberglass. All of these factors would explain why the Comp did not float my boat. I would recommend a demo to see what you will be working with before committing to your project.

On a side note, I slipped an M-Speed 98 SL and an old Pro 98 to a couple of very good high school players last week, (both guys play PDR's and consider Babolat the best brand on the market), and both kids absolutely loved them. Fun to watch them look down at the racquets in amazement after hitting a great shot. I am converting the local kids one at a time...

Interesting that Pacific isn't really changing the cosmetics with this new line. Pretty much the same paintjobs but with a newly formulated type of basalt fiber. Much different than other manufacturers, who take every opportunity to trot out new paintjobs with insignificant new tech.

Interesting that Pacific isn't really changing the cosmetics with this new line. Pretty much the same paintjobs but with a newly formulated type of basalt fiber. Much different than other manufacturers, who take every opportunity to trot out new paintjobs with insignificant new tech.

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Couldnt agree more. I also think that Pacific deserves credit for putting lots of advanced technology in their frames that seems to actually work. And I like how they keep improving it.

IMO, Pacific is one of the few racquet manufacturers whose frames offer both: the maneuverability, spin-friendliness and power of modern sticks and yet the superb feel, stability and control of more traditional racquets.

As you mentioned, it’s great to see that Pacific doesn’t bother changing the looks of their racquets every new season, unlike many other companies. I think that puts even more focus on the excellent performance of their racquets and on the enhanced tech.

Couldnt agree more. I also think that Pacific deserves credit for putting lots of advanced technology in their frames that seems to actually work. And I like how they keep improving it.

IMO, Pacific is one of the few racquet manufacturers whose frames offer both: the maneuverability, spin-friendliness and power of modern sticks and yet the superb feel, stability and control of more traditional racquets.

As you mentioned, it’s great to see that Pacific doesn’t bother changing the looks of their racquets every new season, unlike many other companies. I think that puts even more focus on the excellent performance of their racquets and on the enhanced tech.

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Tennisspieler - while I can agree in general with your statements, I do get the impression that you are not just a "regular" customer (of Pacific frames).
Could it be that you're on Pacific's payroll? If so, this information would be appreciated on this board.

Tennisspieler - while I can agree in general with your statements, I do get the impression that you are not just a "regular" customer (of Pacific frames).
Could it be that you're on Pacific's payroll? If so, this information would be appreciated on this board.

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Thanks for the inquiry, Alex78. No, I am just a regular club Tennis player. No involvement with Pacific whatsoever. After demoing the racquets, I really liked them so I decided to share my impressions of what I consider to be good and fairly underrated frames.

Thanks for the inquiry, Alex78. No, I am just a regular club Tennis player. No involvement with Pacific whatsoever. After demoing the racquets, I really liked them so I decided to share my impressions of what I consider to be good and fairly underrated frames.

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Thanks, Tennisspieler - so no inside information to be expected from you...

Well it's nice that Pacific took over Fischer. Don't get me wrong, by that I mean that the lack of Fischer Pro Ones currently known as Pacific X Force/Force Pros would be worse.

Also kudos to Pacific for reintroducing the Vacuum 90. The problem is this frame is pretty demanding and it's a tough seller with all the current topspining. Also it's availability is limited.

Another point, if they want to resurrect a model it should be one which is more fitted to the todays game. I don't know... maybe the Revolution Pro in a lighter weight option? It's tough to say. With these ceramic frames it was a love or hate relationship when it came to the feel department. However the Pacific Vacuum 90 isn't a ceramic frame so it might not be a "problem" anymore.

so January is over and instead of releasing the new line they removed the announcement status from their Facebook timeline and all the shops removed new racquets and bags from their websites, Pacific not only got the racquets from Fischer but their marketing team too :???:

Couldnt agree more. I also think that Pacific deserves credit for putting lots of advanced technology in their frames that seems to actually work. And I like how they keep improving it.

IMO, Pacific is one of the few racquet manufacturers whose frames offer both: the maneuverability, spin-friendliness and power of modern sticks and yet the superb feel, stability and control of more traditional racquets.

As you mentioned, it’s great to see that Pacific doesn’t bother changing the looks of their racquets every new season, unlike many other companies. I think that puts even more focus on the excellent performance of their racquets and on the enhanced tech.

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If I liked the cosmetics I would agree with you, but I would have been pleased had they changed the paintjobs on the new line. The graphics are a bit busy for my tastes. Also, although they are touting this new form of basalt, they give no real information on how its better than the basalt they were using before. The brochure above gives the typical marketing department nonsense-speak that's meant more to bamboozle than inform. Maybe it's legit new tech, maybe not, but they've given no info yet that would enable a consumer to determine if it's bogus marketing exageration or real tech that will have an impact on their game.

so January is over and instead of releasing the new line they removed the announcement status from their Facebook timeline and all the shops removed new racquets and bags from their websites, Pacific not only got the racquets from Fischer but their marketing team too :???:

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Uh oh. That's not good. My only complaint was the old one was too soft. It seems they firmed it up so I want to demo it cause it might be exaxtly what I've wanted!